Page 58 of Out of the Blue

“You’ve grown so big.” Auntie Gloria steps back. “And these muscles. Hey, Casey, ain’t I right? Check out how well Trenton’s turned out.”

I correct her. Again. “It’s just Trent now.”

Her husband, my uncle, steps forward and shakes my hand. “So nice to see you again, Trent. Heck of a show you put on.”

Happy he used my shortened name, I respond. “Thanks, Uncle Casey. Glad you enjoyed it.” A welcome feeling of belonging washes over me.

“We more than enjoyed it, didn’t we, girls?” Uncle Casey motions toward his kids. “Let me introduce you to our daughters, Hazel and Nia.”

Two young ladies in their mid-teens join us. Hazel, wearing black jeans and high heels—the overprotective side of me thinks they’re too high for a teen—offers her hand first. “Nice to meet you.”

Her sister, maybe a couple years older and in loose-fitting pants with a purple shirt and matching headband, waves. “We really enjoyed your music.” At least one of them is dressed appropriately.

I snort at how Cordy would respond to my thoughts. “Thanks. We’ve worked hard on it. So happy you liked the show.”

Smiling, I wave my bandmates over and introduce everyone. As if by magic, a server carrying trays of beer, champagne, and soda approaches us. Nice.

Across the room, I find Cordy and wave her over. When she finally joins us, I introduce her. “Auntie Gloria, Uncle Casey, Hazel and Nia, I want you to meet my girlfriend.” Cordy offers her hand.

My aunt looks at it like it’s a snake and shakes her head. “No way. Any girlfriend of my nephew’s deserves a hug. Come here.”

Like she did with me, she opens her arms wide. Cordy sends me a slightly panicked glance, but I give her a little push. Within seconds, she disappears as Auntie Gloria envelopes her. I like that.

My aunt puts her hands on Cordy’s shoulders and she gives her the once over. “Tell me, honey, where are you from?”

My girlfriend’s chin rises. “New Jersey. I’m from Newark.”

She nods her approval. “As you know, I’m a Jersey girl myself.”

“Yes, ma’am. Jersey City isn’t far from me.”

Without sparing me a glance, my aunt barrels forward. “So, how long have you and myTrentbeen dating?” At least she used my shortened name.

Big mocha eyes swing to mine and I motion for Cordy to spill. Not like it’s some big secret anyway. And it’s sort of sweet to have someone looking out for me again. Like my mother would’ve. My hand flies to my arm and I squeeze my tattoo. At least her twin wanted me to know the truth.

“We’ve, uh, been together for about a month now.”

“Oh, young love.” She laughs. “I remember those days.”

Blocking any sort of vision of her and Uncle Casey inflagrante delictofrom my mind, I interject, “So, you enjoyed the set?”

Auntie Gloria swells up. “You boys were fantastic. I really enjoyed your songs, as did Uncle Casey and your cousins. In fact, we might have been dancing in the aisles.” She winks.

While she’s talking, Cordy grabs her camera and starts taking photos, causing me to frown. How do I feel about sharing my family with the world? Hell, I’m proud to call her family. Probably the only person in my life who truly deserves this title in addition to my band. And my girlfriend.

“Give your aunt a hug, Trent. Your fans will love it.”

At Cordy’s direction, I share a warm hug with my aunt, and she pulls me down for a couple of kisses. I accept her love with a gratitude I didn’t realize was missing from my life.

“Awesome! Do you mind doing some group photos?”

“Sure thing.” My aunt puts her arm through mine, and does the same on her other side with my girlfriend. Together, we join my cousins and uncle and pose for some pictures. The band gets into the act.

When we’re finished, Cordy asks my aunt, “What’s your number? I want to send you some of these.”

My aunt beams at being included in the publicity part of my life. They exchange numbers and my spirits lift.

After some fun catching up with everyone, she says, “May I have a word, Trent?”

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